Taiwan’s military simulates worst-case scenario: PLA drill turns into attack | South China Morning Post

Computer-assisted war game will run for 14 days, with US military personnel reportedly expected to observe the exercise

US military personnel are expected to arrive in Taiwan this week to observe the exercise, according to Taiwanese media reports. The drill is part of Taiwan’s annual Han Kuang series of military exercises that put the island’s defence capabilities to the test.

This year’s tabletop exercise is the longest ever – it will be six days longer than in 2024. It began with the main command setting up a joint operations centre to simulate a swift transition from peacetime to wartime.

“The scenarios are based on possible PLA actions, including a transition from drills to an actual assault on Taiwan,” the defence ministry said in a statement.

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Shandong aircraft carrier moves into Taiwan response zone ahead of PLA drills

It will also test Taiwan’s ability to respond to so-called grey-zone threats – coercive tactics that stop short of open conflict, including cyberattacks, disinformation campaigns, and harassment by militia fishing fleets and drones.